Leather washer



(No Model.)

L. M. CABANA. LEATHER WASHER.

. No. 475,053. v PatentedMay 17, 1892.

aww

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEON M. GABANA, OF BUFFALO, NEYV YORK.

LEATHER W'ASHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 475,053, dated May 17,1892. Application filed December 14, 1891. Serial No. 414,905. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON M. CABANA, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Buifalo, in the county of Erie and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Leather Washers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of leather washers which consist ofa strip of leather bent into circular form and united at its ends.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensivefastening for the ends of the washer, which is hidden from View, so asto form a neat joint, and which can be readily applied to the ends ofthe leather strip.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of theblank or strip of leather from which the washer is formed, showing theconnecting-wire inserted in one end thereof. Fig. 2 is a side elevationshow ing the strip bent preparatory to uniting its ends. Fig. 3 is asection of the washer at right angles to its axis. Fig. 4 is anelevation of the finished washer. Fig. 5 is a detached View of thefastening or connecting wire.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the flat blank orstri p of leather from which the washer isformed and which is cut to the proper length to form a washer of thedesired diameter. 1

b is the fastening whereby the ends of the strip are united for formingthe washer. This fastening consists of a connecting-wire which extendsacross the joint formed at the abutting ends of the leather strip, andis embedded partly in one end of the strip and partly in the other, thestrip being provided in its ends with longitudinal openings forreceiving the connecting-wire, as shown in Fig. 3. The connecting-wireis provided on its surface with notches or recesses 0, into which thecontiguous fibers of the leather are compressed,whereby thefastening-wire is tightly embedded in the ends of the leather strip, soas to firmly resist withdrawal. The notches or recesses c are preferablyformed with abrupt rear edges to produce barbs or spurs which penetratethe fibers of the strip and aid in confining the wire in place.

In forming the washer the holes for the recessed connecting-wire areformed in the ends of the strip by an awl or other puncturingtool, andthe connecting-wire is inserted in the opening in one end of the stripto about its middle, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The ends of the stripare then brought together and the projecting portion of theconnectingwire is inserted in the opening in the opposite end of thestrip. The connecting-wire is inserted in the ends of the strip in astraight form, so that the strip after having its ends united does notform a true ring, but is flat at the joint. The leather ring so formedis next compressed in any suitable manner so as to compact the fibers ofthe leather and press the same into thenotches or recesses of theconnecting-wire and around its barbs or projecting edges, thus securelyembedding the wire in the end portions of the strip.

I prefer to compress the washer by means of the well-known pressesemployed in the manufacture of such washers, and which consist,essentially, of a die provided with a cylindrical shaping-cavity, flaredat its upper portion for receiving the imperfect or irregularly-shapedring and having a central stud for centering the washer, and a plungerwhereby the ring is forced into the cylindrical lower portion of theshaping-cavity and compressed.

In forcing the leather ring to the bottom of the shaping-cavity theflattened portion of the ring is properly curved by the cylindrical wallof the shaping-cavity, thus giving the washer a true circular form andat the same time hardening it by the pressure to which it is subjected.As the connecting-wire is flexible, it yields in shaping the washer inthe die and is bent concentric therewith, as shown in Fig. 3. By thuscurving the connecting-wire it offers a greater resistance to withdrawalthan it would if it were straight.

In my improved washer the fastening which unites its ends is entirelyconcealed from view and forms avery close joint, which, after the washeris compressed, is scarcely visible, giving the washer the appearance ofa smooth neat joint and a snfliciently secure connection, but it ischeap and permits the ends of the washer to be quickly united.

I am aware that the ends of leather belts have been united by adouble-ended screw having gimlet-points; and I do not wish to claim sucha fastening, because it is unsatisfactory for connecting the adjoiningends of leather axle-washers.

I claim as my invention- A Washer consisting of a strip of leather bentinto circular form with its ends abutting and connected by means of abarbed wire inserted into perforations in said ends and curvedconcentrically with the leather, the whole being compressed to embed thefibers of the leather into the barbs of the connecting-wire, as setforth.

Witness my hand this 12th day of Decem- 3o ber,'l891. I

LEON M. CABANA.

Witnesses:

CARL F. GEYER, EMIL NEUHART.

